Tapping device



July 6v, 1937. F J, T BARNES 2,086,207

-TAPPING DEVICE Filed Dec. is, 195; 2 sheets-sheet 1 l /4/5 /9 F/GJ. /6 l Patented July 6, 1937 TAPPIN G DEVICE Frederick John Trevallon Barnes,

England Kingston Hill,

Application December 19, 1935, Serial No. 55,155 In Great Britain December 31, 1934 9 Claims.

The present invention relates to an improved device for sealing and opening the tapping hole of a beer cask or other vessel containing fluid, and of the kind comprising a sleeve adapted tobe applied to the tapping hole of the vessel and containing a screw operated valve designed normally to seal the opening in the sleeve by which the fluid passes from the vessel, together with a member adapted to form a huid-tight joint with and screw into the sleeve and to draw off fluid from the vessel, the arrangement being such that when said member is rotated in one direction the valve is unscrewed from itsseat, and, when said member is rotated in the other direction, said valve is screwed on to its seat.

The object of the present inventionV is toprovide a device of the kind just referred to in which not only can the draw-0E member be easily placed in operative engagement with the valve after the end of said draw-off member has been inserted in the sleeve without it ever being necessary to rotate said member more than a very small amount, but in which such engagement takes place before said member becomes secured against direct axial displacement from the sleeve.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means for securing the draw-off member within the sleeve, which means acts to secure said member in position, after the member is in operative engagement with the valve and upon said member being further rotated by only a small amount.

A further object is to construct the device so that a still further small amount of rotation of the draw-off member will open the valve.

With these objects in view, the device comprises the combination with the sleeve, of a quickacting screw-thread within said sleeve; a simllarly threaded valve screwed therein to normally close the sleeve to the passage of iluid; a drawoft member having projections arranged circumferentially in spaced relationship to form an in'- terrupted screw-thread; similar projections within said sleeve, spaced circumferentially at a suiiiciently soon before they have engaged the latter for said valve to be open only during such engagement.

By providing means whereby the effective engagement between the tap and the bush or hole is obtained by giving the tap only a fraction of a turn, not only is it possible to effect the tapping operation at a much greater speed, but in cases where a hose is attached to the tap, the twisting of the hose is reduced to a minimum.

The invention will now be described with refer-V ence to the accompanying drawings, in Which:-

Fig. 1 is a side View of one form of device according to the present invention, in which kthe draw-off means is shown as having been removed Vfrom the valve carrying portion.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the valve carrying portion, showing the valve therein.

Fig. 3 is an end View of the draw-01T means as seen fromthe inner end thereof.

Fig. 4 is a View, partly in section, of the Whole arrangement, showing the draw-off means in its effective position.

Fig. 5 is a side view of the valve, removed from the device.

Fig. 6 is a view, partly in section, of tive form of device.

Fig. 7 is a perspective View of a key whereby the valve maybe adjusted Within, or removed from, the device. Y

Fig.V 8 is a view, partly in section, of a `further modication, as applied to a soda water siphon, showing the draw-off means about to be inan alterna- -serted inthe .valve carrying portion.

alternative form of valve.

' eiective position.

Referring to Figs. v1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings, l indicates an externally screwthreaded bush adapted to ybe screwed into the view of an tapping hole of a Cask, and provided at its outer end with a flange 2 suitably shaped or recessed to be engaged by a spanner or othersuitable tool,

to enable the said bush to be screwed Vinto itsv The diameter of the inner portion of the bore i oi the bush is reduced "and provided with a quick I.

acting screw-thread k3 adaptedpto be engaged by f a similarly threaded tubular 'body 4,the inner and outer portions of which body are plain and the walls of which portions are perforated, as shown at 5 and 5a respectively, the inner end of the bore of said body being closed.

Formed integral with the inner end of the tubular body 4 is a part 6, which forms a closure for the outer end of the bore of said body and extends outwardly beyond the periphery of the body.

The outer portion of the part 6 is provided with a flange 'I concentric with the body 4, and be- Y tween which flange and body is secured a valve rubber S, adapted, when the body 4 is rotated in an anticlockwise direction, to seat upon a flange 9 formed upon that portion of the sleeve I which is located between the larger and smaller portions of the bore thereof.

From the foregoing it will be readily seen that the tubular body 4 forms a valve stem for the valve 8.

Provided within the outer end portion of the sleeve I is an inturned annular ange provided with a screw-thread IG interrupted or gapped at diametrically opposite points II, as shown in Fig. 2.

I2 indicates generally the draw-01T means, which is tubular, the bore I3 of which extends from end to end.

Upon diametrically opposite sides of the inner end of the draw-01T tube I2 are cast lugs I4, I4, of less width than the aforesaid gaps I I and provided with threads I5 designed to engage the thread IG, after the said tube has been inserted in the bush I and the lugs I4 have entered the gaps II.

In order to facilitate manipulation of the drawoff tube, the latter is provided with handles I6, one upon each side thereof.

Formed upon the outer end of the tubular body 4 is a projection I'I chamfered at its outer edge and at each end, as shown more clearly in Fig. 2, and formed at the inner end of the draw-olf tube I2 is an inturned annular flange provided all round its inner edge with V-shaped grooves I8, the arrangement being such that diametrically opposite grooves engage the ends of the said projection when the said draw-01T tube is inserted in the bush, in order that when said draw-01T tube is rotated through a few degrees in a clockwise direction to bring the lugs I4 into engagement with the thread Ie, the aforesaid valve is rotated oi its seat, as shown in Fig. 4.

When the valve is open, as shown in Fig. 4, liquid can flow from the cask into the perforations 5 of the tube 4, along said tube and out through the perforations 5a into the bush, thence out through the draw-off tube I2.

Carried within and projecting from an undercut enlargement I9 formed upon the tube I2 is a rubber washer 2U, adapted to engage with a recess 2l formed inthe outer end face of the bush I, the said washer being of such thickness as to seal the tube I2 to the said bush immediately the lugs I4 engage with the thread ID, and before th-e valve is opened.

In Fig. 6 is shown a modification, in which, instead of the bush I being provided with a screwthread such as the hereinbefore described thread I, it is provided on each side of its inner surface with an L-shaped slot such as 22, one portion 22a of which extends circumferentially of the bush but in such a manner as to incline inwardly' of the bush from thepoint where the fportion 22h joins it.

The outer end of the portion 22h of each slot 22 terminates in the recess 2I, and the draw-off tube, indicated by 23, is provided at diametrically opposite sides of a portion near its inner end with lugs 24, 24, adapted to enter the slots 22 and secure the said tube in position upon being rotated through a, few degrees.

The draw-off tube 23 is provided with a cock 25 by which the passage of fluid therealong may b-e controlled, the outer end of the tube being provided with a screw-thread 2E designed to engage with a hose coupling.

Instead of the outer end of the draw-oir tube 23 being provided with a screw-thread, as just escribed, it may be plain, and extended as indicated by the interrupted lines 21, should it be desired to pour direct from the end of the said tube, instead of passing the fluid through a fur ther pipe or hose.

In Fig. 'I is shown a key 28 for initially screwing the valves upon the seats or screwing them further into the bushes to take up any wear which may have taken place.

In Figs. 8 and 9 is shown a device for use in sealing and drawing oi liquid from containers in which the said liquid is stored under gas pressure, for example a soda water siphon.

In this arrangement the bush I, the internal construction of which is substantially similar to that of the bush shown in Fig. 6, is provided at its upper end with a portion 29 of enlarged external diameter.

The enlarged portion 29 is provided with a screw-thread 39 adapted to engage with a screwthread 3i formed in the upper end of a sleeve 32 brazed or otherwise secured at its lower end a perforation 33 provided at the upper end of a metal container 34.

The lower end of the sleeve 32 is provided lwith an inturned annular flange 35, and sandwiched between a pair of washers 36, 38, located upon the bush I at a point b-elow the enlarged portion 29 is a rubber washer STI, the arrangement being such that when the said bush is screwed into the sleeve 32 the washer 33 engages with the flange 35 and the rubber Washer 33 is compressed so that it expands laterally against the lower por'- tion of the inner surface of said sleeve and thus forms a fluid tight joint between the latter and said bush.

In order to prevent the washers 36, 37 and 38 from falling off or otherwise becoming removed from the bush I, a wire annulus 39 is sprung into a recess 4I) upon said bush at a level below the washer 38.

The lower end of the bush I is reduced at 4I and screwed to receive an adapter 42, the lower portion of which is internally screwed to receive the upper end of the Siphon tube 43.

The tubular body I or valve stem in this arrangement is of such length as not to extend below the lower end of the aforesaid portion 4I Vwhen the valve 8 Vis closed, said body 4, moreover,

being open at its lower end.

The draw-oimember I2 is provid-ed with the enlargement or annular ange I9 and the portion of this draw-01T member located above the flange I9, and indicated by I2a, is provided with an external screw-thread I2b and is on the out- 'side provided with four flat portions I2c arranged upon opposite sides of said portion I2a, as seen more clearly when viewing the upper end ofthe draw-off .member as in Fig. l0, in which latter it will be seen that the at portions not only form circumferential interruptions in the thread I2b, but are of such width as to make the outline of the said portion 'I2a, square, except for'the rounded and thread-bearing corners. The screw-thread I2b is adapted to have screwed thereon the internally threaded skirt portion 44 of a head 45 such as is used upon soda water syphons. Before the head 45 is screwed, as just described, upon the screw-threadedv upper end portion of the draw-off member I2, a collar 41, split at 41a, is placed over this portion, the bore of the upper portion of which collar is of such length and diameter that the aforesaid skirt portion 44 of the head 45 enters said bore as the head is screwed onto the draw-off member.

The bore at the lower end of the split coliar 41 is reduced at 48 and squaredto loosely fit the square outline of the portion of the draw-oli member immediately above the ange I9 (as shown more clearly in Fig. 10), but at the same time being of a suiciently good fit to prevent rotation of the collar 41 thereon.

After the syphon head has been screwed onto the draw-oir member I2, as aforesaid, the collar 41 is clamped onto or tightly drawnraround the skirt portion of said head by means of a clamping screw 49, which passes through a clearance fhole in a lug 49a and screws into a lug 49h, these two lugs being formed integral with the said collar, as shown in Fig. 10.

It will be readily seen from the foregoing that when the collar 41 is clamped, as just described, upon the skirt portion of the head 45, it will prevent the latter from being accidentally un- -screwed from the draw-off member I2.

In order to form a fluid-tight joint between the syphon head 45 and the draw-off member I2, a rubber Washer 46 is inserted between the upper end of said draw-off member and the said head.

The aforesaid enlargement or annular ange I9 is undercut and provided with a rubber washer 2B, similar to that provided in the arrangement shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 6, and for the purpose of ensuring a fluid-tight joint between the drawoff member and the sleeve I.

The draw-off member I2 in this arrangement is provided with lugs 24 which are adapted to engage in slots 22 similar to those described with reference to Fig. 6, and for the purpose of,

likewise holding the draw-off member I2 Within the sleeve I.

In Fig. 11 is shown a preferred construction 'of valve having araised seat S of the kind hereinbefore described, but in which `the length of "of the said projections.

In all the arrangements described and illustrated in the drawings, the screw-thread 3 upon the valve stem 4 and the thread with which it engages in the inner end of the sleeve I .are of opposite handito the thread upon the draw-off member and the thread with which it engages in the outer end of the said sleeve.

I claim: Y l. A devicefor sealing and opening and tapf ping hole of a b-eer cask or other vessel for Vcontaining fluid, comprising a "sleeve `adapted' to be applied to thetapping hole of the vessel; aquickacting Vscrew-thread within said sleeve; asimilarly threaded valve screwed thereiny to normally lclose said sleeve to the passage of fluid; a fgrooved portion Within said sleeve; a draw-off member adapted to be applied to said sleeve; projections upon said draw-on member, adapted to enter said grooved portion and to subsequently engage therein when said draw-oir member is rotatedy in the same direction as the valve must be rotated to open; and means whereby said draw-off member and valve may always be placed in Voperative connection after said projections have' grooved portion within said sleeve; a'd'rav'v-ofrn` member including a tube adapted to be applied to said sleeve; means upon the outer end of said tube designed to receive a soda-water siphon head; projections upon said draw-off member,

adapted to enter said grooved portion and to subsequently engage therein when said draw-olf member is rotated in the same direction as the valve must be rotated to open; and means whereby said draw-off member and valve may always jections have entered said grooved portion, but sufficiently soon before they have engaged the latter for said valve `to be open onlyduring such engagement; together with an adapter at the be placed in operative connection after said `pro- Y inner endV of said sleeve and aV syphon tube connected by said adapterV to said sleeve for conducting the liquid under pressure to the latter.

3. A device forsealing and opening the tapping hole of a vessel for containing liquid under gas pressure, comprising a sleeve vadapted to be applied tothe tapping hole. of thevessel; a quickacting screw-thread within said sleeve; afsimilarly threaded valve screwed therein to normally close said sleeve to the passage of uid; a gro'oved portion within said sleeve; a draw-off member including a tube adapted to be applied to said sleeve; a screw-thread upon the outer end of said tube designed to receive ya soda-water syy phon head; projections upon said tube, adapted to enter said grooved portion andj'to subsequently engage therein when said draw-off member is rotated in the same direction as the valve must be rotated to open; and means whereby said draw-off member and valve may always be'placed in operative connection after said lprojections have entered said grooved portiornbut sufliciently soon before they` have engaged the latter forV said valve to be open only during such Yengagement; together Vwith an adapter at the inner end of said sleeve; and a syphon tube connected by said-adapter to said sleeve for conducting the liquid under` pressure to thelatter. Y "i 4. A device for sealing and opening the tap-` ping hole of a vessel for containing liquid under gas pressure, comprising a sleeve adapted to be applied to the tapping holeoi `the'vessel; a quickactingr screw-thread within said sleeve; a similarly threaded valve screwed 'therein to normally close said sleeve to the passage offluid'; a grooved portion vwithin said '-sleeve; a :draw-off member includingia#tubeadapte'd to'lbeappliedgto ,-15 iberotated touopen; Vanoutwardly directed extensleeve; projections upon said tube, adapted to Venter said grooved portion and to subsequently engage therein when said draw-oi member is rotated in the same direction as the valve must be rotated to open; and means whereby said drawoi member and valve may always be placed in operative engagement after said projections have entered said grooved portion, but suiciently lsoon before they have engaged the latter for said valve to be open only during such engagement; a screw-thread upon the outer end of said tube, vfor receiving a soda Water syphon head; a split collar non-rotatively mounted upon said tube, a screw within said collar adapted to draw the latter tightly around the lower end of said head and clamp the latter against accidental displacement; an adapter at the inner end of said sleeve; a syphon tube connected by said adapter to said sleeve for conducting the liquid under pressure to the latter.

5. A device for sealing and opening the tapping hole of a beer Cask or other vessel for containing uid, comprising a sleeve adapted to be applied to the tapping hole of the vessel; a reduced inner end portion within the bore of said sleeve; a valve; a hollow perforated valve stem upon which said valve is carried; a quick-acting screw-thread upon said stem; a similar thread within said reduced portion with which the thread on said stem engages; a seat within said sleeve formed between said inner reduced portion and the larger portion of said bore, with which seat said valve normally is in engagement to seal said sleeve; a grooved portion within the outer part of said sleeve; a iiuid draw-orf member adapted to b-e applied to said sleeve; projections upon said draw-01T member adapted to enter said grooved portion and to subsequently engage therein when said draw-off member is rotated in the same direction as the valve must be rotated to open; an outwardly directed extension upon and disposed diametrically across said valve; and, an inturned annular ange upon the inner end of said draw-oil member; a series of teeth o-n said ange adapted to engage opposite ends of said extension when said projections are inserted inthe grooved portion of the sleeve, so that said valve is unscrewed from its seat as said projections engage said grooved portion during -1 rotation in one direction of said draw-oi member, and is screwed back onto its seat as said member is afterward rotated in the reverse direc'- tionY to disengage said projections from said grooved portion.

6. A device for sealing and opening the tapping hole of a beer Cask or other vessel for containing fluid, comp-rising a sleeve adapted to be applied to the tapping hole of the vessel; a reduced inner end portion within the bore of said sleeve; a valve; a hollow valve stem perforated y to form a filter and upon which said valve is carried; a quick-acting screw-thread upon said stem; a similar thread within said reduced portion with which the thread on said stem engages; a seat within said sleeve formed between said inner reduced portion and the larger portion of said bore, with which seat said Valve normally is in engagement to seal said sleeve; a grooved portion within the outer part of said sleeve; a uid draw-01T member adapted to be applied to said sleeve; pro- `jections upon said draw-oir member adapted to enter said grooved portion and to subsequently engage therein when said draw-orf member is rotated in the same direction as the valve must sion upon and disposed diametrically across said valve; and an inturned annular iange upon the inner end of said draw-01T means; a series of teeth on said flange adapted to engage opposite ends of said extension when said projections are inserted in the grooved portion of the sleeve, so that said valve is unscrewed from its seat as said projections engage said grooved portion during rotation in one direction of said drawoff member and is screwed back onto its seat as said member is afterward rotated in the reverse direction to disengage said projections from said grooved portion.

'7. A device for sealing and opening the tapping hole of a beer Cask or other vessel for containing iluid, comprising a sleeve adapted to be applied to the tapping hole of the vessel; a reduced inner end portion within the bore of said sleeve; a valve; a hollow perforated valve stem upon which said valve is carried; a quick-acting screwthread upon said stem; a similar thread within said reduced portion with which the thread on said stem engages; a seat within said sleeve formed between said inner reduced portion and the larger portion of said bore, with which seat said valve normally is in engagement to seal said sleeve; a grooved portion within the outer part of said sleeve; a fluid draw-01T member adapted to be applied to said sleeve; projections upon said draw-off member adapted to enter said grooved portion and to subsequently engage therein when said draw-off member is rotated in the same direction as the valve must be rotated to open: an outwardly directed extension upon and disposed diametrically across said valve and chamfered at each end and along the outer edge; and an inturned annular ange upon the inner end of said draw-oir means; a series of triangular shaped teeth on said flange adapted to engage opposite ends of said extension when said projections are inserted in the grooved portion of the sleeve, so that said valve is unscrewed from its seat as said projections engage said grooved portion during rotation in one direction of said draw-01T member and is screwed back onto its seat as said member is afterwards rotated in the `reverse direction to disengage said projections from said grooved portion.

8. A device for sealing and opening the tapping hole of a beer cask or other vessel for con- .f

seal said sleeve; a grooved portion within the outer part of said sleeve; a fluid draw-oi member adapted to be applied to said sleeve; projections upon said draw-01T member adapted to enter said grooved portion and to subsequently engage therein when said draw-off memberis rotated in the same direction as the valve must be rotated to open; an undercut flange upon said draw-orf member; an under-cut flange upon the outer end of said sleeve; and a washer adapted to be compressed within said undercut flanges to ensure a huid-tight joint between said member and the sleeve; the arrangement being such that as said projections engage said grooved portion during rotation in one direction of said draw-01T member, said valve will be unscrewed from its seat, and screwed back onto its seat as said member is afterward rotated in thereverse direction to disengage said projections from said grooved portion.

Y 9. A device for sealingA and opening thetapf 317.5

ping hole of a beer cask or other vessel for containing uid, comprising a sleeve adapted to be applied to the tapping hole of the vessel; a reduced inner end portion Within the bore of said sleeve; a hollow perforated valve stem closed at its outer end; an outwardly extending undercut annular ange around the outer end of said stem; a valve Washer within said undercut flange; a quick-acting screw-thread upon said stem; a similar thread within said reduced portion with which the thread on said stem engages; a seat within said sleeve formed between said inner reduced portion and the larger portion of said bore, With which seat said valve washer is normally in engagement to close said sleeve; a grooved portion within said sleeve; a fluid draw-off member adapted to be applied to said sleeve; projections upon said draw-off member adapted to enter said grooved portion and to subsequently engage therein when said draW-oi member is rotated in the same direction as the valve must be rotated to open; and means whereby said drawci member and valve may always be placed in operative connection after said projections have entered said grooved portion, but sufficiently soon before they have engaged the latter for said valve to be open only during such engagement.

FREDERICK JOHN TREVALLON BARNES. 

